Portable elevating device

ABSTRACT

A portable elevating device constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as including a winch frame for mounting a winch and a harness assembly secured to the winch frame for supporting an operator. In the preferred embodiment, the free end of the cable of the winch is releasably secured at a vertical position by a C-shaped anchor. The anchor may be positioned at the vertical position by a telescoping pole releasably secured thereto. After the free end of the cable is secured to the vertical position, the operator located in the harness assembly can elevate or lower himself by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch. The winch frame in its most preferred form includes a rope gripping member for gripping a rope secured to a vertical position and moveable between a non-engaging position and an engaging position to thus operate as a safety line if the winch, cable, or anchor should fail. In its most preferred embodiment, the winch includes a member for stopping rotation of the winch if it reaches a rotational speed limit. In its most preferred embodiment, the winch stopping member includes pivotally mounted members which are rotatable with the winch and have an increasing radial extent with increasing rotational speed due to centrifugal forces. The components of the elevating device can be collapsed and interconnected as a single unit into a transport mode for carrying on the back of the operator.

This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 563,689 filedon Dec. 20, 1983, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to elevating devices and moreparticularly to portable elevating devices.

In hunting, photographing, or watching deer, bear, turkey, or otherwildlife, an elevated position offers many advantages. First, beinglocated above the normal sight lines allows the sportsman to be abovethe keen eye of the wildlife to thus prevent the wildlife from beingspooked. Further, this allows the sportsman to have a vantage point forbetter and broader observation into the brush and other wildlifehabitat. Secondly, the scent of the sportsman will be carried above andbeyond the keen sense of smell of the wildlife to thus prevent thewildlife from being spooked from that reason also. Thirdly, it is alsosafer to be at elevated positions since bullets, arrows, and the likehave less tendency to ricochet and will travel less distance if shotdown toward the ground than if shot in a standing position.Additionally, the sportsman is not in the line of fire of othersportsmen.

Thus, the use of stands, scaffolds, and the like are preferred by manysportsmen. Additionally, portable devices are particularly preferredsince built-in platforms are not allowed in many areas and mustnaturally remain at the same location. Further, portable devices whichcan be carried by the sportsman are specifically preferred since theycan be utilized deep in the woods and other habitat far from motorvehicle accessibility.

However, prior portable elevating devices had severe deficiencies. Manyprior portable elevating devices required excessive physical strengthand energy to use. For example, many required the sportsman to hug thetree and raise a stand attached to the sportman's feet. Further, manyrequired that the tree have no limbs to the desired height. Likewise,many could not be utilized to climb utility poles, slippery barkedtrees, and the like. Thus, a need has arisen for a portable elevatingdevice which overcomes these deficiencies.

SUMMARY

The present invention solves these and other needs by providing anelevating device including a winch mounted to a winch frame. Theoperator is supported by the winch frame. The free end of the cable canthen be secured to an elevated position and the operator can raise andlower himself by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flaccid,flexible member and a releasable gripping member on the winch frame arefurther provided. The gripping member has a first condition for notengaging with the flexible member and a second condition for engagingwith the flexible member. The condition of the gripping member isdependent on whether or not the cable of the winch is tight. Thus, thegripping member and flexible member act as a safety line.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the winch includesa member rotatable therewith for stopping rotation of the winch when therotational speed of the winch reaches a rotational speed limit.Specifically, as the rotational speed of the winch increases, the radialextent of the rotating parts increase until they engage with a stopmember located at a radial distance of the desired rotational speedlimit.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device furtherincludes an improved releasably grabbing member. Specifically, agenerally C-shaped member is provided for passing around a pole, tree,or like structure for the engaging and gripping thereof.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thegrabbing member, the winch frame, and other components are particularlyconstructed to allow ease of operation and safety and allow its collapseand interconnection into a single unit for a transport mode on the backof the operator.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novelelevating device.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a novelportable elevating device.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novelelevating device which is safe to use.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novelelevating device which is easy to operate.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novelelevating device which is lightweight and can be easily transported onthe back of the operator.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novelelevating device which includes a safety line.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novelelevating device which has provision for preventing descent at anexcessive rate.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novelelevating device which includes a novel anchor assembly.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome clearer in light of the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment of this invention described in connection withthe drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference to theaccompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable elevating deviceconstructed according to the teachings of the present invention in itstransport mode.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in its elevating modewith portions of the device being removed.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the preferred anchor of the device ofFIG. 1 in use.

FIG. 4 shows a partial perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in use.

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 according tosection line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 according tosection line 6--6 of FIG. 4.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings ofthe present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respectto number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to formthe preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skillof the art after the following teachings of the present invention havebeen read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensionalproportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similarrequirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after thefollowing teachings of the present invention have been read andunderstood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numeralsdesignate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms, "top","bottom", "first", "second", "inside", "outside", and similar terms areused herein, it should be understood that these terms have referenceonly to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to aperson viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitatedescribing the invention.

DESCRIPTION

A portable elevating apparatus according to the teachings of the presentinvention is shown in its most preferred form in the drawings as aportable tree climbing, hunting platform and is generally designated 10.Apparatus 10 generally includes an anchor 12 for securement to avertical position, and is shown in its most preferred form as a memberfor releaseable securement to a portion of a tree, pole, or the like. Inits most preferred form, anchor 12 includes a first member 14 having itsfirst end connected generally perpendicular to a second member 16. Intheir most preferred forms, members 14 and 16 are tubular inconstruction and have square cross sections. The free end of member 14includes a cable securement device 18. Member 14 further includes a hookmember 20 and an aperture 22. Second member 16 further includes spikemembers 24 and 26 located on opposite sides of but extending away frommember 14 for engagement with a tree portion.

Anchor 12 further includes a tree encapsulating member 28 includingthree integrally connected legs 30, 32, and 34. The first end of leg 30is connected to an end of member 16 generally perpendicular thereto andin its most preferred form extends at an angle of 125 degrees inrelation to the plane defined by members 14 and 16. Leg 32 is connectedto the other end of leg 30 and extends therefrom at an angle in therange of 135 degrees and extends generally downwardly from the plane ofmember 16 and leg 30 by a small angle in the range of 5 degrees. Leg 34extends generally perpendicularly from the other end of leg 32 andextends generally upwardly from the plane of legs 30 and 32 at a smallangle also in the range of 25 degrees. In its most preferred form, theinterconnection of legs 32 and 34 is generally in line with member 14.In the preferred embodiment, legs 32 and 34 also include spike members36. Anchor 12 further includes in its most preferred form a bracing web38 extending between member 16 and leg 30 and also includes a hookmember 40 extending from web 38. Thus, it should be appreciated thatanchor 12 has a generally C-shape formed by members 16 and 28.

Apparatus 10 further includes member 42 for positioning anchor 12 in avertical position. In its most preferred form, member 42 is shown as atelescopic pole including telescopic sections 44, 45, 46, and 47. It canthen be realized that telescopic section 47 can be telescoped withinsection 46, section 46 can be telescoped within section 45, and section45 can be telescoped into telescopic section 44 such that pole 42 has atransport length which is slightly larger than the length of telescopicsection 44. Pole 42 may include any suitable apparatus for holdingtelescopic sections 44-47 in their telescoped position, such as springdetents which extend through apertures 49 formed in telescopic sections44, 45, and 46. Thus, pole 42 can be telescoped to a maximum lengthgenerally equal to the combined length of telescopic sections 44-47.

Pole member 42 further includes member 50 for removeable securement toanchor 12. Member 50 is shown in its preferred form as a yoke member 51attached to the free end of telescopic section 47. Yoke 51 can then bepositioned to straddle member 14 and a removeable pin member 52 can bepositioned through yoke 51 and aperture 22 of member 14. An abutment pin53 can further be provided with yoke member 51 for holding pole 42 atthe desired angle with respect to member 14 of anchor 12 and for placinga safety line at a vertical position as will be explained hereinafter.

Apparatus 10 further includes a winch frame 54 for the mounting of awinch 56 thereto. In its most preferred form, winch frame 54 is L-shapedand includes an elongated first leg 58 and a second leg 60 attachedgenerally perpendicular thereto. A bracing web 62 is further providedbetween legs 58 and 60 and forms an aperture 64 defined by and betweenweb 62 and legs 58 and 60 of frame 54. Located adjacent to the free endof leg 60 are a hook member 66 and an aperture 68 extending generallyparallel to but spaced from leg 58.

Winch 56 generally includes a U-shaped mount 70 having first and secondlegs 71 and 72 extending from the opposite sides of a central portion73. In its most preferred form, winch 56 is secured to leg 60 of winchframe 54 by bolts 74 extending through central portion 73 for threadedsecurement to leg 60 of winch frame 54. Pivotally mounted between legs71 and 72 is a shaft 75. A cable drum 76 is further provided forrotation with shaft 75. A gear 78 is further secured to shaft 75 on oneside of drum 76. A second shaft 79 is also pivotally mounted betweenlegs 71 and 72 in a spaced, parallel relation to shaft 75. Shaft 79includes a gear 80 in gearing relation with gear 78 of shaft 75. Crankhandle members 81 and 82 are further mounted on the opposite ends ofshaft 79 allowing manual rotation of shaft 79. A ratchet lever 96 ispivotally mounted to mount 70 and moveable between a first position forengaging with gear 80 preventing rotation of shaft 79 in a directionallowing cable 97 to unroll from drum 76 and a second position allowingrotation of shaft 79.

Winch 56 further includes member 83 for stopping rotation of shaft 75 ifthe rotational speed of shaft 75 reaches a predetermined limit. Member83 is shown in its preferred form as including a first plate 84 securedgenerally perpendicular to and for rotation with shaft 75. First andsecond members 85 and 86 are pivotally mounted on opposite ends of plate84 about pivot axes which are generally parallel to but spaced fromshaft 75. Member 83 further includes first and second springs 87 and 88extending between the first end of member 85 and the second end ofmember 86 and between the second end of member 85 and the first end ofmember 86 and located on opposite sides of shaft 75. The radiallyoutwardly located corners 89 of first ends of members 85 and 86 and theradially outwardly located corners 90 of the second ends of members 85and 86 are removed. Member 83 further includes a stop member 91.

Due to the pivot mounting of members 85 and 86 to rotating plate 84 andthe bias of springs 87 and 88, the radial extent of members 85 and 86from shaft 75 increases with the increasing rotational speed of shaft 75and cable drum 76 mounted thereon due to the centrifugal forces created.Stop member 91 is located at the radial distance from shaft 75 equal tothe radial extent of members 85 and 86 at the desired predeterminedrotational speed limit desired. Thus, if the rotational speed of shaft75 is less than the predetermined rotational speed, the radial extend ofmembers 85 and 86 from shaft 75 will be less than the radial distance ofstop member 91 from shaft 75 such that members 85 and 86 will not abutwith stop member 91 and members 85 and 86 and plate 84 are free torotate. However, if the rotational speed of shaft 75 is greater than orequal to the predetermined rotational speed limit, the radial extent ofmembers 85 and 86 from shaft 75 is greater than or equal to the radialdistance of stop member 91 from shaft 75 such that the first ends ofmembers 85 and 86 will abut with member 91 and prevent further rotationof plate 84 and shaft 75.

In its most preferred form, winch 56 further includes a circular shapedcover 92 pivotally mounted on leg 72 of mount 70 and rotatable withrespect to shaft 75, drum 76, gear 78, and member 83. Cover 92 includesa wedge-shaped opening 93. Cover 92 is then pivotal between a firstposition where wedge-shaped opening 93 is located beneath leg 72 ofmount 70 such that cover 92 and leg 72 provide a sealed end dust coverfor member 83, and a second position where wedge-shaped opening 93 islocated beyond leg 72 such that member 83 can be visually inspected,maintained, and repaired, if required. Cover 92 can then includesuitable locking mechanism such as a spring detent 94 mounted on cover92 for engaging and locking within aperture 95 of leg 72 of mount 70.

A suitable flaccid, flexible pulling member 97 shown in its mostpreferred form as a cable 97 is then provided having its end anchored towinch 56 for wrapping on cable drum 76 and having is second, free endsecured to the cable securement device 18 of anchor 12. The free end ofleg 58 of winch frame 54 includes a suitable cable guide 98. In its mostpreferred form, winch 56 is mounted to winch frame 54 such that cable 97extends between cable drum 76 and cable guide 98 generally parallel toleg 58 of winch frame 54.

Apparatus 10 further includes a flaccid, flexible pulling member 100shown in its most preferred form as a rope. Rope 100 includes a suitabledevice for securing rope 100 in an elevated position. For example, rope100 can include a suitable clasp member 101 for securement to cablesecurement device 18, or more preferable, for securement at anotherlocation such as being looped around a second attachment positionseparate from and spaced from cable securement device 18 and/or anchor12. Apparatus 10 further includes member 102 for releasably grabbing orgripping rope 100. In its most preferred form, member 102 includes arope receiving and capturing tunnel 103 secured to leg 58 of winch frame54. Member 102 further includes a gripping member 104 pivotally mountedto leg 58 of winch frame 54. Gripping member 104 in its most preferredform includes rope engaging teeth 105. Gripping member 104 is pivotalbetween a first rope gripping position or condition as shown in solid inFIG. 6 and a second, non-rope gripping position or condition as shown inphantom in FIG. 6. Specifically, in the first position, gripping member104 is positioned such that teeth 105 frictionally engage, grip into,and capture rope 100 within and between tunnel 103 and teeth 105 ofgripping member 104. In its second position, teeth 105 do not engagewith rope 100 and rope 100 is free to pass through tunnel 103. Grippingmember 104 is biased into its first position by a torsion spring 106.For moving gripping member 104 into its second, non-gripping ropeposition, member 104 includes a yoke member 107 for receipt of cable 97.In its most preferred form, yoke 107 includes an idler cylinder 108rotatably mounted between yoke 107 against which cable 97 can pass tothus present a rolling surface to cable 97 and reduce wear thereto.

If cable 97 is tight between cable securement device 18, guide 98, anddrum 76 of winch 56 as best seen in FIG. 2, gripping member 104 is heldin its second, non-gripping rope position shown in phantom in FIG. 6.However, if cable 97 becomes loose between cable guide 98 and winch 56,gripping member 104 will pivot under bias of spring 106 to its first,rope gripping position for thus capturing, gripping, and holding rope100 between tunnel 103 and teeth 105 of gripping member 104 shown insolid in FIG. 6. In its most preferred form, the second end of rope 100passes through aperture 68 of leg 60 of frame 54 such that rope 100 doesnot become entangled in crank handles 81 and 82, winch 56, or cable 97.

In its most preferred form, winch frame 54 further includes first andsecond arms 110 and 111 which extend generally perpendicular to leg 58of winch frame 54 in a plane generally perpendicular to leg 60 of winchframe 54. Apertures 112 are further formed on the free ends of arms 110and 112. Arm 110 further includes a hook member 113 located adjacent toaperture 112.

Apparatus 10 further include a harness assembly 114 for the support ofan operator therein. In its most preferred form, assembly 114 includes aseat portion 116 including a rectangular tubular frame 118 and a canvas,cloth, or similar member 120 thereon. A foot rest can further be formedby a strap 121 releasably secured to frame 118 of seat 116 by clasps 122located on opposite ends thereof. Located on opposite sides of seat 116are seat supports 123 shown in their preferred form as including firstand second straps having their first ends connected to frame 118 of seat116 at spaced locations and having their second ends connected to asuitable clasp member 124.

Harness assembly 114 further includes in its preferred form ring members125 and 126. A first adjustable strap 127 has its first end secured toring 125 and has its second end removably secured to aperture 112 of arm110 by clasp 128. Harness assembly 114 further includes in the preferredembodiment a second adjustable strap 129 having its first end attachedto to ring 126 and its second end removeably secured to aperture 112 ofarm 111 by clasp 130. Harness assembly 114 further includes anadjustable back strap 131 having its opposite ends attached to rings 125and 126, respectively. Harness assembly 114 further includes in thepreferred embodiment a front strap 132 having its first end secured toring 125 and having its second end removeably secured to ring 126 byclasp 133. Clasp 124 of seat supports 123 can be removeably secured torings 125 and 126.

In its most preferred form, apparatus 10 further includes a zipperedpouch member 134 secured to canvas 120 of seat 116 for storage ofcomponents of apparatus 10 in its transport mode. In the preferredembodiment, strap 121 can further include a clasp 135 intermediate itsends.

Now that the construction of the present invention has been set forth,the operation and subtle features of the present invention can be setforth and appreciated. For the sake of example, it will be assumed thatapparatus 10 is not in its transport mode or condition as shown in FIG.1 but is in its operative condition as shown in FIG. 4. Initially,telescopic sections 44-47 are telescoped such that pole 42 hassufficient length allowing the operator to reach the desired verticalposition for anchor 12. At that time, rope 100 may be positioned to thedesired vertical position by any suitable methods. For example, due tothe weight of clasp 101, the end of rope 100 including clasp 101 can bethrown over a suitable anchoring position such as a limb of a tree asshown in FIG. 2 and clasp 101 placed on rope 100. Similarly, pole 42 canbe utilized in the placement and securement of rope 100 by removing pin52, placing rope 100 on pin 53, reinserting pin 52 to prevent clasp 101from being pulled therethrough, and after positioning yoke 51 at thedesired vertical position feeding rope 100 through yoke 51. At thattime, pole 42 may be attached to member 16 of anchor 12 utilizing member50. Specifically, in its most preferred form, pin 52 may be insertedthrough yoke 51 and aperture 22 for securing yoke 51 of member 42 tomember 14 of anchor 12.

Sufficient cable 97 may then be unwound from cable drum 76 of winch 56.This can be accomplished by releasing lever 96 from engagement with gear80 of shaft 79. At that time, handles 81 and 82 may be rotated thusrotating cable drum 76 to release cable 97 wound thereon. After cable 97is unwound, anchor 12 may be placed at the desired vertical position byutilizing pole 42. Specifically, anchor 12 may be positioned on ahorizontal limb as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, anchor 12 may bepositioned at a vertical portion of a tree, pole, or the like as bestseen in FIG. 3. Specifically, anchor 12 may be positioned such that thevertical portion passes through the opening of anchor 12 defined by thefree end of member 16 and the free end of leg 34 of member 28 and ispositioned between member 16 and legs 32 and 34 of member 28. It canthen be appreciated that by manipulating pole 42, anchor 12 willautomatically center itself and cant on the vertical portion such thatmember 16 and legs 32 and 34 abut with the outside surface of thevertical portion for releasably gripping the vertical portion withinanchor 12. It should then be appreciated that spike members 24, 26, and36 engage with the outside surface of the vertical portion in anon-sliding type engagement.

Since cable 97 is not tight at this stage, it is then necessary tomanually grasp yoke 107 and move gripping member 104 to its secondnon-rope engaging position as shown in phantom in FIG. 6. Rope 100 maythen be inserted into and through tunnel 103 and into and throughaperture 68 of arm 60 of winch frame 54. Handles 81 and 82 may then becranked winding cable 97 upon cable drum 76 until winch frame 54 andharness assembly 114 is supported by cable 97.

The operator may then position himself within the harness assembly 114by removing clasp 133 from ring 126 and sitting upon seat 116. Strap 132can be placed around the operator and clasp 133 can be buckled to ring126. If desired, the feet of the operator can also be positioned to restupon strap 121 as shown in FIG. 4.

After the operator is located in assembly 114, handles 81 and 82 may becranked rotating shaft 79 and thus rotating gears 80 and 78, shaft 75,and cable drum 76 mounted thereon. It can then be appreciated that ascable 97 is being wound upon cable drum 76, winch frame 54 and harnessassembly 114 will then be raised vertically. After the operator islocated in the harness assembly 114 and at least partial weight isplaced thereon, cable 97 will then be stretched tight, moving grippingmember 104 to its second, non-rope engaging position. Therefore, rope100 simply passes through tunnel member 103 and aperture 68 as cable 97is being wound on drum 76.

The operator can then raise himself to the desired position bycontinuing to crank handles 81 and 82 until the desired position isreached. When the operator reaches the desired position, due to thespring biasing of lever 96, ratchet lever 96 engages with gear 80 tothus prevent rotation of gear 78 and thus shaft 75 and cable drum 76.For purposes of preventing the operator from swinging or turning aboutcable 97 and rope 100 in the vertical position, the operator can placehis feet against the trunk or limb of the tree and/or pole 42 can beheld by one of the hands of the operator.

When the operator desires to descend from the vertical position, it isfirst necessary to release lever 96 such that shaft 79 can be rotated inthe opposite direction by turning handles 81 and 82. It can then beappreciated that as the operator descends, gravity tends to acceleratethe descent. Thus, it is necessary for the operator to slow his descentby grasping handles 81 and 82. However, if for any reason the speed ofdescent exceeds the predetermined speed of member 83, the first ends ofmembers 85 and 86 will abut with stop 91 as shown in phantom in FIG. 5and thereby stop rotation of shaft 75 and thus cable drum 76. Thus,member 83 automatically prevents a descent at an excessive speed. Inorder to release member 83, it is then necessary for handles 81 and 82to be cranked sufficiently wrapping cable on cable drum 76 such thatweight is taken off from member 83. When there is no weight on member83, members 85 and 86 will withdraw from its abutting position under thebias of springs 87 and 88, again allowing descent by the operator.

It should then be appreciated that if cable 97 should fail for anyreason, such as but not limited to breakage of cable 97, breakage orslippage of anchor 12, breakage of the limb or other anchor support towhich anchor 12 is releaseably attached, or like failure, cable 97 willbecome loose between cable drum 76 of winch 56 and cable guide 98. Atthat time, gripping member 104 moves to its first, rope engagingposition as shown in solid in FIG. 6 under the bias of spring 106.Therefore, rope 100 is firmly held in tunnel 103 by gripping member 104.Thus, rope 100 acts as a safety device in stopping the descent of winchframe 54, harness assembly 114, and the operator located therein.

After the operator is again on the ground, it can then be appreciatedthat anchor 12 can be removed from the vertical anchor support positionutilizing pole 42 and that rope 100 can also be removed such as by usingpole 42.

Apparatus 10 of the present invention may then be assembled in atransport mode or condition for carrying in a back pack type positionsuch that the arms of the operator are free for other purposes. When itis desired to transport apparatus 10, strap 121 can be removed from seat116 by unhooking clasps 122. Furthermore, clasps 124 may be unhookedfrom rings 125 and 126 and clasps 128 and 130 may be removed fromapertures 112 of arms 110 and 111. At that time, straps 127, 129, 131,132, rings 125 and 126, clasps 128, 130, and 133 and rope 100 and clasp101 attached thereto may be positioned within zippered pouch 134 of seat116. To prevent straps 123 from hanging loose and possibly catching onobjects, clasps 124 thereof can be hooked together such that seatsupports 123 are positioned on the back side of 116 overlying pouchmember 134.

Frame member 54 can then be positioned upon the back side of seat 116such that cable drum 76 and cable guide 98 rest upon seat 116 with leg60 being located in a vertically upward position. The free end of leg 34may be inserted into and through aperture 64 of frame member 54 untiltree encapsulating member 28 extends through aperture 64 to theintersection of legs 32 and 34. Member 16 of anchor 12 may be positionedto abut with the free end of member 58 such that spike members 24 and 26are located on opposite sides of leg 58. Cable 97 may then be tightenedby cranking handles 81 and 82 and thus rotating cable drum 76.

Hook 40 of anchor 12 located in frame member 54 may then be hooked withframe 118 of seat 116. Hook 113 of winch frame 54 may also be hookedwith frame 118 of seat 116 and tightened thereon. Due to the preferredconstructions of the components of apparatus 10, as hook member 113 isbeing tightened, anchor 12, frame 54, and seat 116 interconnect witheach other in a collapsed condition to form a single unit. Pole 42 whichhas been telescoped to its shortened length may then be secured by hookmember 66 of winch frame 54 and by hook member 20 of anchor 12. Thus,apparatus 10 is in a one piece, compact, transport condition. In itsmost preferred form, clasp 135 of strap 121 may be attached to cable 97and clasps 122 of strap 121 may be secured to opposite sides of frame118 of seat 116 to create a back pack type of arrangement for thecarrying of apparatus 10 on the back of the operator. Thus, apparatus 10can be easily transported for long distances, while the hands of theoperator are free for carrying other items such as fire arms and thelike.

It should be appreciated that less physical energy is required inutilizing apparatus 10 of the present invention than many other devicesutilized for climbing trees and the like. Specifically, due the ratio ofgears 78 and 80 and the leverage obtained by handles 81 and 82, theoperator can easily winch himself in vertical positions. Furthermore,obstructions such as low limbs on a tree do not pose significantproblems to apparatus 10 according to the present invention as they didfor prior portable elevating devices. Furthermore, the present inventionincorporates many safety devices which operate at all times. Prior tothe present invention, many of the safety features could not be utilizedduring elevation or descent, but could only be utilized when astationary position was achieved.

It should also be appreciated that anchor 12 has many advantages. First,anchor 12 of the preferred form has no moving parts which are prone towear and breakage. Due to the preferred construction of anchor 12,anchor 12 automatically centers itself and the weight of pole 42 aloneis sufficient to hold anchor 12 firmly on the tree or pole.Additionally, as more weight is placed on anchor 12, anchor 12 morefirmly grips the tree or pole. Furthermore, the preferred constructionof anchor 12 and other components of apparatus 10 lends to the fast,easy, collapsing ability for the transport mode of the presentinvention.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have beenexplained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one havingordinary skill in the art. For example, although apparatus 10 isillustrated in its most preferred form as a portable, hunting treestand, apparatus 10 can be utilized in other environments and for otherpurposes. For example, apparatus 10 can be utilized for climbingtelephone, electric, and other types of utility poles. Likewise,apparatus 10 can be utilized when it is desired to descend to a lowerposition such as in the case of caves and the like, or to ascend ordescend the sides of buildings, large storage tanks, and the like.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or generalcharacteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, theembodiments described herein are to be considered in all respectsillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to beindicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable elevating device comprising, incombination: means for releasably grabbing a pole, a tree, or the likeat an elevated vertical position; a telescoping pole for removeableinterconnection to the releasably grabbing means for positioning thereleasably grabbing means at the elevated vertical position; a winch forrolling and unrolling a length of cable on a winch drum having aperimeter, with the feed end of the cable being secured to thereleasably grabbing means; a winch frame, with the winch framecomprising, in combination: a single elongated leg having an upper endand a lower end, and first and second arms extending generallyperpendicular to and on opposite sides of the single elongated legadjacent to the lower end of the single elongated leg, with the firstand second arms having free ends; with the winch being mounted on thesingle elongated leg of the winch frame at its lower end and below thefirst and second arms; means for guiding the cable from the winch, withthe guiding means mounted on the single elongated leg of the winch frameadjacent to its upper end and extending from the single elongated leg ina direction perpendicular to the first and second arms, with theperimeter of the winch drum extending beyond the single elongated leg inthe same direction as the guiding means for extending the cable betweenthe winch drum and the guiding means in a spaced, parallel relationshipto the single elongated leg of the winch frame; and means secured to thewinch frame for supporting an operator comprising, in combination: aharness assembly, with the harness assembly including a seat having atleast a substantially rigid periphery for allowing the operator to sitthereon, and means for suspending the rigid periphery seat from the freeends of the first and second arms for sole support thereby, with thesuspending means comprising first and second straps having first endsremovably interconnected to the free ends of the first and second armsof the winch frame and having second ends operatively interconnected tothe rigid periphery seat, with the releasably grabbing means, thetelescoping pole, the winch, the winch frame, and the operatorsupporting means being collapsible and interconnectable into a transportcondition for carrying on the back of the operator, and wherein theoperator can elevate or descend himself while located in the operatorsupporting means by rolling or unrolling the cable on the winch afterthe releasably grabbing means is positioned at the elevated verticalposition.
 2. Portable elevating device comprising, in combination: meansfor releasably grabbing a pole, a tree, or the like at an elevatedvertical position; a telescoping pole for removeable interconnection tothe releasably grabbing means for positioning the releasably grabbingmeans at the elevated vertical position; a winch for rolling andunrolling a length of cable on a winch drum having a perimeter, with thefree end of the cable being secured to the releasably grabbing means; awinch frame, with the winch frame comprising, in combination: as singleelongated leg having an upper end and a lower end, and first and secondarms extending generally perpendicular to and on opposite sides of thesingle elongated leg adjacent to the lower end of the single elongatedleg, with the first and second arms having free ends; with the winchbeing mounted on the single elongated leg of the winch frame at itslower end and below the first and second arms; means for guiding thecable from the winch, with the guiding means mounted on the singleelongated leg of the winch frame adjacent to its upper end and extendingfrom the single elongated leg in a direction perpendicular to the firstand second arms, with the perimeter of the winch drum extending beyondthe single elongated leg in the same direction as the guiding means forextending the cable between the winch drum and the guiding means in aspaced, parallel relationship to the single elongated leg of the winchframe; means for supporting an operator; first means for suspending theoperator supporting means from the free end of the first arm of winchframe; and second means for suspending the operator supporting meansfrom the free end of the second arm of the winch frame, with theoperator supporting means being supported solely by the first and secondsuspending means, and wherein the operator can elevate or descendhimself while located in the operator supporting means by rolling orunrolling the cable on the winch after the releasably grabbing means ispositioned at the elevated vertical position.